One of the most admired CSA farms in the U.S. has made its manuals and planting plans available for free download from its website.

Roxbury Farm in Kinderhook, New York, is a community supported, biodynamic farm that grows vegetables, herbs and grass-fed pork, beef and lamb for more than 1,000 shareholders. Its 300 acres of land are permanently protected as farmland by a conservation easement. The farm is operated by Jean-Paul Courtens and Jody Bolluyt.

Among the documents that are available are a seeding and planting plan for 100 CSA shares; greenhouse seeding schedules; a planting manual; a harvest manual; advice about buying equipment; and a soil fertility manual. Together, these documents represent some of the most valuable planning tools we have ever seen here at Growing for Market, and they are all available for free.

“It is like CSA; the vegetables are for free if you support the farm; the manuals are for free if the outcome is a stronger community and more sharing of information amongst small farmers,” Jean-Paul said. “What is important to understand is that they were written for our apprentices to have an insight into how our operation works, what is expected of them, etc.  It was never my intention to create a manual that would cover all bases for all kind of different operations.  It is just another way to improve communication on our farm.  Other farmers in the CRAFT program (http://craftfarmapprentice.com) asked if I was willing to share them. So, I put them online. I encourage people to create their own standards and to create a manual for their farm.”

With Jean-Paul’s caveats in mind, we suggest that his manuals provide an excellent example of the types of information you should be compiling about your own farming systems. In addition, they are a good starting place for beginners who are trying to put together a business plan but have no idea of potential yields and labor requirements. The Harvest Manual, for instance, has details for 53 kinds of vegetables. For each, it lists yield, value, hours to pick and wash, tools needed, readiness indicators, harvest procedures, washing procedures, and packing standards.

The manuals are updated every other year or so to reflect changes in the farm’s practices.

The manuals and other Roxbury Farm documents can be downloaded at http://www.roxburyfarm.com/files